what can i get away with in vw 2.5?

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just wondering, not planning, but what non vw spec oil could i get away with if i found myself unable to change oil at a vw dealership on a 2.5 liter, 5 cylinder? my 86k mile 2013 passat s runs fine. i'm faithful to the 10k mile oci at a local, decent vw dealership. but, i like to take extended road trips and if i were to find myself over 10k miles in the middle of nowhere needing a "tide me over" non dealer, more generic oil change, what is collective wisdom? i understand the cautions about vw spec but what more common, i.e. non vw or non euro spec, oils would be ok for say 3k miles in this simple, non turbo, robust engine. not looking to cheap out but wouldn't want to dump an expensive boutique synthetic oil at 3k miles either when i next got to a dealer, if this makes sense. thanks all!
 
starting to answer my own question, critiques and advice most welcome: semisynthetic or synthetic, probably not conventional oil; 10w-30 or 40, not 20... dexos? mobil 1 or any top tier synthetic only? or what should i absolutely avoid? again i'm assuming that euro spec is unavailable and i need a fast, overdue oil change while out on the road. clearly i'm all over the map seeking expert guidance here. cheers.
 
The HDEO 5W-40 (Shell Rotella T6 or Mobil Delvac 1) would be a good options as well, prob even better than some of the run of the mill 502 spec oils. I don't see you having any issue finding any 502 oils even in some of the most remote areas, now oil filter is another story - might as well buy one and keep it in your trunk for the just in case. The 2.5 is not picky nor is it very hard on oil so I would not worry too much.
 
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Originally Posted by drtyler
Mobil 1 0W-40 is approved for your VW and is widely available.

Yup. Both M1 0W-40 as well as Castrol Edge 0W-40 are available and relatively inexpensive in 5qt jugs at every Walmart, so why bother with anything else?
 
Mobil1 0W-40
EDGE 0W-40
EDGE 5W-40

All found at my local (and probably most) Walmarts.
 
Anything! My buddies burned oil, 1 q every 1000, was abused the whole time owned it (110k-180k) and he ran the cheapest 15/40 or 10/30 diesel oil by the gallon he could find for 5-7k. Those are extremely reliable and well built motors, besides the timing chain noise that often develops up high. Every one I see at my shop has over 150k, one over 200. If youre going the factory 10k, stick with a 502 high quality full syn. If cutting it down a little, theyll run on anything off the shelf.
 
thanks all! with the above 10w-40 suggestions could i go to a full 10k oci? are there any 10w-30 shorter fuse alternatives? great suggestion for bringing along an oil filter! is there any other small bit that is uniquely part of a vw oil change?
 
VW wants you to replace the drain plug and crush washer on every oil change, not just the crush washer. I always replace the washer and maybe the drain plug every 4th time.
The 2.5 holds 6.3 quarts.
 
Why would you just not use one of the commonly available VW502 00 oils that you can buy just about anywhere? You worst case is ordering it online and having it shipped to you wherever you are and giving it to the place that changes it.
 
Originally Posted by jstert
thanks all! with the above 10w-40 suggestions could i go to a full 10k oci? are there any 10w-30 shorter fuse alternatives? great suggestion for bringing along an oil filter! is there any other small bit that is uniquely part of a vw oil change?

2.5 is not hard on oil.
Mobil1 0W40, Catrol 0W40 are some of the best oils you can get. Anything 10W30 is step or more down from that.
 
Having owned quite a few V-Dubs, I have learned the hard way to always use VW spec oils and fluids. I change all my own fluids, and use shorter intervals than recommended - it helps to always be on the lookout for clearance specials on VW spec fluids.

To clarify, the recommendation was 0w40 or 5w-40 - Mobil1 and Castrol Edge makes these, as well as other brands. They are pretty widely available and on sale regularly. Filters, I order in batches from Rockauto (usually when wholesale clearance or rebates are available).

I avoid 'quick lube' places like the plague. Would rather run the car past a regular OCI than go there.... lol.
 
thanks folks. so, if i'm reading this right: use a top tier 0w40; bring along oil filter, drain plug and crush washer; find a reputable garage, even another maker's dealership to do the work; all good to go for 10k miles, eh.

this scenario would be on a road trip with no vw dealer in sight so ordering online for shipment to me sitting in a motel waiting for delivery of vw spec oil or a filter isn't a viable option.
 
Originally Posted by jstert


this scenario would be on a road trip with no vw dealer in sight so ordering online for shipment to me sitting in a motel waiting for delivery of vw spec oil or a filter isn't a viable option.

If you are doing a road trip, then presumably you will have lots of hwy miles accumulated quickly. If so, I would not bother with oil changes while on the road. Wait until you get back home, even if it means going past 10k miles. Those 0w40 oils mentioned previously can handle it no problem.
 
Originally Posted by Quattro Pete
Originally Posted by jstert


this scenario would be on a road trip with no vw dealer in sight so ordering online for shipment to me sitting in a motel waiting for delivery of vw spec oil or a filter isn't a viable option.

If you are doing a road trip, then presumably you will have lots of hwy miles accumulated quickly. If so, I would not bother with oil changes while on the road. Wait until you get back home, even if it means going past 10k miles. Those 0w40 oils mentioned previously can handle it no problem.


Good advice here. The HWY miles will be easy on the oil.
 
Use Mobil1 0w-40 or Castrol edge 0w-40 and dont worry about it. Going a few thousand over the 10k oci will not be the end of the world. Just get it changed when you get back into town
 
Originally Posted by Audios
Anything! My buddies burned oil, 1 q every 1000, was abused the whole time owned it (110k-180k) and he ran the cheapest 15/40 or 10/30 diesel oil by the gallon he could find for 5-7k. Those are extremely reliable and well built motors, besides the timing chain noise that often develops up high. Every one I see at my shop has over 150k, one over 200. If youre going the factory 10k, stick with a 502 high quality full syn. If cutting it down a little, theyll run on anything off the shelf.


That's my thinking also...since the 2.5 is not 'high tech' but rather a pretty ordinary engine....and the 6+ quart sump helps too.
I'd use regular oils (10w30, 10w40, 15w40 etc... ) and change more often....even 5w30 syn. in winter.
 
I'd put a decent filter on it then drain and fill the oil only at 10k. That way you don't have to worry about the filter or filter housing tool at all. Pack an extra drain plug and you're set with any VW 502.00 oil.

You could change the filter only, or reset the oil change mileage with a full change, when you're back home.

Originally Posted by wemay
Mobil1 0W-40
EDGE 0W-40
EDGE 5W-40

All found at my local (and probably most) Walmarts.


Can confirm this or something similar can be found at Walmart.
 
you can run almost anything in that engine, including conventional 5W30 SN if you don't extend the interval too far.

There are a lot of VW engines that are picky on oil. This isn't one of them. When I used to drive a lot, I put over 220K on one of these, 5W30 synthetic, 10K intervals. When I change the PCV at 200K, the engine was very clean. That vehicle is still on the road (sold it to a friend) and it has over 350K on it. It's been on SN 5W30's its whole life.

That said, I'm not sure where you'll be that you can't just get a cheap 502/505 oil at Walmart, M1 or Castrol 0W40.
 
Assumin its same global market 2.5 tcyl that everyone else gets, you could use

0w20, 5w20
0w30, 5w30, 10w30
0w40, 5w40, 10w40, 15w40
20w50

Or alternatively, you can use anything displaying;
VW 501, VW. 502, VW 504, VW 505, VW 507,
Porsche A40
MB 229.5
BMW LL01
ACEA A3B3
ACEA A3B4

Between 0&5&10w30, and 0&5&10w40, you will be able to find an appropriate viscosity wherever uou look.
 
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